Security Features of U.S. Treasury Checks - 216.55.97.163

[Pages:4]Security Features of U.S. Treasury Checks

Ref: The Government of The United Sates of America Secret Services (Know Your Money)

Counterfeiting of U.S. obligations is not just limited to the American "greenbacks." It is also a common problem for checks issued by the Federal Government. In an effort to fight this type of criminal activity, several security features have been incorporated into U.S. Treasury checks. These features are easy to authenticate, difficult to reproduce on office machine copiers/printers, and consistent on all Treasury checks that are issued. Paper The paper used for Treasury checks is chemically responsive to all solvents and ink removers, which make most alterations easy to notice. It also contains a continuous pattern watermark that says "U.S. Treasury." This security feature cannot be reproduced on an office machine copier.

A special in-house training program can be provided upon requests covering counterfeit (currencies, cyber crime ,identification thefts financial and commercial documents). Please contact us at: bcbkuwait@

Printing

The dry offset printing process is used to print Treasury checks. The inks are specially designed to react to leaching and bleaching so that they fade when rubbed with water and dissolve when exposed to alcohol or bleach, making most alterations noticeable.

Additional security features on Treasury checks are:

? The colors of the inks are of a low density which makes them difficult to reproduce on an office machine copier.

? The signature line on the reverse side of the check is comprised of microprinted text that repeats the letters "USA."

? The checks have a fluorescent image printed in the center that can be viewed under ultra-violet light but cannot be reproduced by an office copier.

New Security Features For Treasury Checks (1997)

These new security features were added to the Treasury checks beginning in November 1997.

? Bleeding ink in the Treasury Seal which will smudge red when exposed to moisture.

? The fluorescent image overprinted in the center has been enhanced to contain dual fluorescent wavelength bands.

Altered Government Checks

Sometimes criminals attempt to alter the name of the payee on a Government check to correspond to their identification. Or they may alter the amount of a check to raise its value. If legitimate payees alter the amount on a Government check, they forfeit the entire original amount of the check and are subject to criminal prosecution.

Government checks are never issued with corrections. If these are present, the check has been altered. Things to watch for include:

1. Erasures, strikeovers, or pen-and-ink corrections.

2. Bleaching or other color changes around letters or numbers.

3. Uneven spacing or misalignment of type.

A special in-house training program can be provided upon requests covering counterfeit (currencies, cyber crime ,identification thefts financial and commercial documents). Please contact us at: bcbkuwait@

4. Compare the amount of the check with the reason for which it was drawn. For instance, a normal Social Security annuity check would not be issued for thousands of dollars.

If You Receive A Counterfeit 1. Do not return it to the passer. 2. Delay the passer if possible. 3. Observe the passer's description, as well as that of any companions, and the license numbers of any vehicles used. 4. Contact your local police department or United States Secret Service field office. These numbers can be found on the inside front page of your local telephone directory. 5. Write your initials and the date in the white border areas of the suspect note. 6. Limit the handling of the note. Carefully place it in a protective covering, such as an envelope. 7. Surrender the note or coin only to a properly identified police officer or a U.S. Secret Service special agent.

It's The Law Manufacturing counterfeit United States currency or altering genuine currency to increase its value is a violation of Title 18, Section 471 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both. Possession of counterfeit United States obligations with fraudulent intent is a violation of Title 18, Section 472 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.

A special in-house training program can be provided upon requests covering counterfeit (currencies, cyber crime ,identification thefts financial and commercial documents). Please contact us at: bcbkuwait@

Anyone who manufactures a counterfeit U.S. coin in any denomination above five cents is subject to the same penalties as all other counterfeiters. Anyone who alters a genuine coin to increase its numismatic value is in violation of Title 18, Section 331 of the United States Code, which is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both. Forging, altering, or trafficking in United States Government checks, bonds, or other obligations is a violation of Title 18, Section 510 of the United States Code and is punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Printed reproductions, including photographs of paper currency, checks, bonds, postage stamps, revenue stamps, and securities of the United States and foreign governments (except under the conditions previously listed) are violations of Title 18, Section 474 of the United States Code. Violations are punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to 15 years, or both.

A special in-house training program can be provided upon requests covering counterfeit (currencies, cyber crime ,identification thefts financial and commercial documents). Please contact us at: bcbkuwait@

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